Stafford, VA

I know everyone has been waiting for an update! So here it.... The tiles are going in beautifully! The contractor, JELTile on Garrisonville Road in Stafford, VA is really attentive to detail and takes the steps needed to 'get it right'. I am very pleased with their work so far.

As you know from reading earlier blogs, this bathroom remodel was not elective, but requisite! On the plus, if we were considering selling the house, a bathroom remodel is a great investment and one where the homeowner may see a return on investment for the project. Bankrate says almost 85% of the value can be recovered while the COST vs VALUE report from National Association of Realtors (Realtor.org) says about 75% of costs are recouped.

Regardless, I am loving the results and it will be worth every penny to me.

Recently, I came across an article on AOL's Real Estate page highlighting an article in the blog DailyKos. For those not familiar with the ‘Kos, it is devoted mainly to political and social commentary, along liberal lines. In the article AOL cited, the ‘Kos urged those homeowners struggling with their mortgage to, walk away from their unpaid mortgages. In their words:

"The real risk to the banks and investors is that the people in those homes might just decide to walk away. And that's what we must do. Doesn't have to be everybody, of course; but anyone who finds themselves seriously underwater with no hope of ever recouping their investment....just walk away Renee. Morality has nothing to do with it. You are a cog in the wheel of a machine that is killing this country and if you remain a cog you enable it. Remove your cog and the machine will not keep running. Remove millions of cogs and the machine gets replaced."

In other words, the Kos is advocating mortgage debt anarchy; a revolution of sorts. It then cites Realtors from across the U.S. who seemingly justify the action. Why? In the words of one agent, since the economic and housing recovery is projected to take perhaps as long as a decade, "Isn't it better to just cut the losses up front"?

According to a recent report by First American CoreLogic, nearly one in four are underwater or upside down with their home mortgage. In other words, they owe more for the property than it is worth. According to the N.Y. Times, the housing collapse left 10.7 million families owing more than their homes are worth. Is that a problem? Of course it is. Will walking away from a mortgage solve that problem? Not hardly. Have the Administration's loan modification measures worked as fast or as well as hoped? No, they haven't. Nonetheless, the programs were enacted for the affected homeowners to use. I have yet to hear of a homeowner not being able to remain in their home as they attempt to modify their payments.

How about you? If you know of a friend, relative, or client that has been forced out of their property despite the fact they've continued to make a payment, or partial payment, please let me know.

Is walking away from a mortgage debt justified? While its track record isn't perfect, the short sale is getting its act together. Perhaps, for both the lender and the those upside down, it is a better alternative than burning the mortgage.

To Continue Reading this Article, Click Here: Burn Your Mortgage?

The Avid Ratings Co., which conducts an annual survey of home buyer preferences, has published its most recent findings. According to their survey, there are 10 "must have" features in new homes. These features include.

1. Large kitchens with an Island.

For many, the kitchen serves as much more than just a place to cook. It's also, more often than not, used for relaxing and socializing as well.

2. Energy efficient appliances, high efficiency insulation and high window efficiency.

Energy concerns are growing in importance.

3. Home office or study.

The internet has made working from home much easier.

4. Main floor master suite.

Not just for "empty nesters" any longer.

5. Outdoor living room.

Many find spending more time outside a healthier alternative.

6. Ceiling fans.

7. Master suite soaker tubs.

8. Stone and brick exteriors.

9. Community landscaping, with walking paths and playgrounds.

10. Two car garages.

Is there anything on that list you can do without? Which are really must haves?

Many home buyers also stressed the importance of lifestyle choices like neighborhood walkability, commuting options, and availability and proximity of recreation and cultural activities. Have you ever looked at a walkability score?

As Realtors, our job is to assist our home buying clients in achieving their goal of home ownership. While they'll certainly have their preferences when it comes to the features of their next home, have they taken into consideration any lifestyle choices? If not, perhaps it's worth mentioning.

To Continue Reading this Article, Click Here: What is Your Must Have Home Feature?

STAFFORD COUNTY VA FORECLOSURE BARGAINS. The market has never been better for home buyers.

The homes below are all ACTIVE listings of homes for sale in Stafford County Virginia. All of these properties are bank owned homes ready for a new home owner.

Contact us to tour homes in your price range and favorite area of the Stafford County real estate market.

The process for buying a bank owned home for sale in Stafford Countyis just like any normal real estate transaction. Once you find your home of choice, based on comparable sales in the area, you determine the price to offer the bank. Negotiation with bank owned properties is based on your personal financial qualifications and the final negotiated price. Homefinders.com is there to provide you with the facts you need to determine the value, amount to offer and best financing alternatives for your needs.

EXAMPLES OF BANK OWNED HOMES IN STAFFORD COUNTY IN THE $300,000 PRICE RANGE.

* * * Foreclosures for sale in Aquia Harbour.

MAP OF STAFFORD COUNTY VIRGINIA

Search for all Homes for Sale in Stafford County HERE.

Homefinders.com, HELPING HOME BUYERS IN STAFFORD COUNTY AND OTHER AREAS OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE. Experienced Buyer's Agents know how to help home buyers get the best home for your location and price range. There are about 35 REO, FORECLOSURES, BANK OWNED HOMES FOR SALE in Stafford County for January 2009.

These homes can close in time for our home buyers to qualify for the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of $8,000 or Move-Up home buyers tax credit of $6,500. Contact us for details.

OUR SERVICES ARE FREE TO HOME BUYERS.

Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988, E-mail.

Yes, if you haven't heard yet, we're snowed under! As you can see, the front yard is blanketed in almost two feet of snow, and the Northern Virginia area is struggling with a bit more of the stuff than they were ready for. Outside my front door this morning, it looked like this.

And, as I've said previously in this blog, when there's any show on the ground in Northern Virginia, driving on our roads is akin to bumper cars lite! While that might be a bit of an exaggeration, it's not far off. From what the local weather channel says, yesterday's snowfall surpassed the record level that occurred in 1932.

Of course, for many of us, being house bound isn't something we're used to. Most Realtors, after all, are out with clients on the weekends. So, the forced confinement is probably what I needed! Life's like that sometimes, don ‘t you think? Forcing us to do things we otherwise wouldn't. Perhaps there is something to an overall design to this life. Hmmm, I wonder if....on second thought, perhaps we'd better not start down that road.

So, are you going to be lucky enough to have a white Christmas too? We'll, while the snow's here, I might as well head outside and have some fun!

To Continue Reading this Article, Click Here: Let It Snow